Description: On October 14, 1863, A.P. Hill’s corps stumbled upon two
corps of the retreating Union army at Bristoe Station and attacked without
proper reconnaissance. Union soldiers of the II Corps, posted behind the
Orange & Alexandria Railroad embankment, mauled two brigades of Henry
Heth’s division and captured a battery of artillery. Hill reinforced his
line but could make little headway against the determined defenders. After
this victory, the Federals continued their withdrawal to Centreville unmolested.
Lee’s Bristoe offensive sputtered to a premature halt. After minor skirmishing
near Manassas and Centreville, the Confederates retired slowly to Rappahannock
River destroying the Orange & Alexandria Railroad as they went.
At Bristoe Station, Hill lost standing in the eyes of Lee, who angrily
ordered him to bury his dead and say no more about it.